 Our Mission Statement
To be a profitable institution through dedicated customer service, being the premier provider of banking and financial services in our service areas, exceeding the expectations of each customer. To make positive contributions through active involvement in our communities.
Our History
Sensing the opportunity for a new community bank to thrive in the South Florida banking market, the board of directors of the Colonial Banc Corp. Holding Company of Eaton, Ohio commissioned Mr. Jeffrey Maffett and Mrs. Diana Crull to seek a new banking charter with the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS). Oculina Bank was started on January 2, 2004 on the beautiful Hutchinson Island in Fort Pierce, Florida. Mr. Jeffrey Maffett is the founder and President/CEO, and Mrs. Diana Crull is the co-founder and SVP/Chief Fiancial Officer. Soon the company grew and Rick Clayton was hired as the SVP/Senior Lending Officer. The bank became very successful on the beach, and soon expanded to south Vero Beach at the corner of 8th street and US Hwy 1. Additional success followed and in early 2007 we added a branch in Fellsmere. We are the only bank in this wonderful little town just northwest of Vero Beach.
Over time individual members on the board of Colonial Banc Corp. took notice of the potential this area offers, and now a majority of the shares of the holding company are owned by residents of the Treasure Coast, as directors have moved to the area.
In early 2007 the bank merged with a group of business people who were starting a bank in Port St. Lucie, and soon they agreed to partner and join the Oculina Team. On July 2, 2007 Mr. William Casey joined the bank as SVP/Southern Markets Director, Mr. Christopher Russell joined the bank as SVP/Senior Lending Officer. In addition, Mr. William Donovan, CPA and Mr. Michael Gelety joined the bank as Directors. Mr. Rick Clayton immediately became the SVP/Northern Markets Director.
In November 2007, Oculina Bank opened it's fourth office in Palm City, our first branch in Martin County, and the southernmost outpost of Oculina's branch network. In January, 2008 we opened our Northernmost branch in Sebastian (Roseland). And finally, in February, 2008 we opened our most recent branch in Vero Beach at the airport on Aviation Blvd.
Currently comprised of six branches throughout the Treasure Coast Oculina Bank intends to grow our network primarily in St. Lucie and Martin Counties, and into southern Brevard County in the near future.
The Name
Oculina Bank was named after a coral reef that parallels the Atlantic Shoreline of Florida from Fort Pierce to Cape Canaveral. The reef lies at depths of 200 to 300 feet, and is approximately 15 miles from shore. The reef contains the largest concentration of a beautiful, white tree-like coral named oculina varicosa, and soon became known as the "oculina bank." Discovered by Harbor Branch Oceanographic scientist John Reed in the 1970s, the oculina bank is one of the largest coral reefs in the world. Certainly, the oculina bank is one of the most important nurturing and spawning sites for all species of marine life along the Atlantic Shoreline.
We are proud to have our name associated with such an important and beautiful natural resource.
Oculina Bank, founded January 2, 2004.
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Copyright 2008 Oculina Bank. All Rights Reserved.
